Meeker's race gives back, brings Newtown families together

Updated 12:42 am, Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Steve Meeker made it a priority when his family moved to Newtown 10 years ago to find a way to give back to his new community and neighbors.

An avid runner, Meeker decided to start a road race that would serve as a fundraiser for what is now known as Newtown Youth & Family Services, a non-profit mental health clinic and youth services bureau dedicated to helping children and families.

"We wanted to help an organization that is there for the youth of the town," Meeker said. "This was a great choice."

Meeker's decision is still paying off as the 9th Annual Newtown Road Race 5k will take place on Saturday at Dickinson Park in Newtown. The starting time for the race has been moved up an hour this year to 8 a.m.

"It's a great rolling course through scenic Newtown," said Meeker, who is always too busy with race director duties to run the course on race day. "I've ran the route many times on other days and love it."

The race has grown every year from its inaugural run that featured 450 runners. There were 683 registered runners last year and there are already 300 signed up for this Saturday.

"We've been really lucky to get great sponsors," said Meeker, who is the chairman on the board of directors for NYFS. "Nike is the title sponsor and other gold sponsors are Danbury Hospital, Praxair, Canon USA and Ingersoll Automotive."

"I couldn't do it without all their time and efforts," Meeker said. "I would also like to thank the strong efforts of Matt Ariniello and the NYFS staff."

The road race is among many events that are held by NYFS, such as "Independent Living Day," where volunteers helps seniors and those who are disabled with projects around the house. There is also the annual Newtown Holiday Festival held downtown on Main Street.

"NYFS relies heavily on fundraisers like this to help support our efforts in the community," said Ariniello, who serves as an operations assistant at NYFS. "We are happy to be able to put together an event to bring together the families of Greater Newtown while serving our mission at the same time."

A kids' run will be held at 9:15 a.m. and will include races of 75 yards, 150 yards and a quarter-mile, depending on level and age of the child. Parents and children can choose what race they want to participate in the day of the race.

"We all have kids and this is tremendously gratifying to help NYFS execute their plans," Meeker said. "This is a great family event for the community. Nike is providing us with a 1,000 T-Shirts (the logo was designed by Meeker's son, Owen) for all the runners and we will have some good food."